Economic Development

City Planning

VISIT DENVER is the premier source of information about Denver's hot spots, visitor attractions, cultural events, hotels, and more. For a comprehensive listing of things to do in Denver, visit www.visitdenver.com

Project Guide for Patio Enclosures

This guide is intended to provide you with an overview of the permitting process for enclosing an existing covered patio or porch. This space is not habitable (e.g. contains no heat or insulation and is not built on a full depth foundation) and must be enclosed by walls/windows that total 65 percent glass. For additional guidance, see the Single Family Residential Enclosing Existing Patio Covers Building Guide (PDF) from the Colorado Chapter of the International Code Council.

Help Me Get Started . . .

Before you start your project, you need to know what regulations apply to your property and what factors may impact your project. You'll need to consider:

Historic Landmark Status

Any project that involves changes to the exterior of landmark structures or properties in historic landmark districts must be reviewed by Landmark Preservation staff before you begin. The appropriate zoning, building, curb cut, or revocable permits needed for the project will be issued only after design review has been completed and the project has been approved. To determine your property’s landmark status, use the DevelopDENVER tool to the right. Then, visit the Design Review web page for more information.

Zoning

Zoning establishes standards for things such as the size and location of structures and acceptable uses for your property. Before you begin construction, you need to be sure your project is in compliance with the Denver Zoning Code. Use the DevelopDENVER tool to the right to determine the zoning for your property. In the results, click on your zone district for descriptions and definitions; then, click on your neighborhood context for more information on zoning in your area.

Parkways

Any project that encroaches on a designated parkway setback will need to undergo parkways review. Certain parkways and boulevards are specifically designated by ordinance to preserve their unique character. Each Designated Parkway has its own right-of-way width and regulations of setback distance of structures and signs. If you are unsure if you live along a designated parkway or for your parkway’s specific regulations, enter your address into the DevelopDENVER tool at right. Look under “Designated Parkways” on the results panel on the left. If a specific parkway appears, click on the “Details” button for information on setbacks.

Denver Forestry

If any portion of your project has the potential to affect the trunk, canopy or roots of the street trees around your property, before you begin, you must contact Denver Forestry by email (forestry@denvergov.org) or phone (720-913-0651) to evaluate your project. Any removal, trimming or planting of trees within the public right of way must be permitted through the City Forester’s Office. Damages to street trees may result in the issuance of administrative citations and/or fines. Visit the Denver Forestry web page and click on Property Owner Resources for information on hiring a licensed tree service company or requesting a permit.

Building Code

Denver Building Code provides minimum standards for building in order to safeguard public safety, health and welfare. The permitting and inspection process ensures that all home projects meet these standards and that all dwellings are safe and habitable at the time of construction.

Transportation

Transportation review and approval is needed if you are changing the location of any driveways that connect to public streets or proposing improvements, such as changing the curb cut, within the “right of way” (ROW), which includes public streets and sidewalks. All ROW projects must be performed by a licensed contractor and in full compliance with the City Charter, ordinances, permitting processes and all other applicable standards, specifications and requirements. Licensed contractors can obtain ROW permits at Public Works Permit Operations, 2000 West 3rd Avenue, or directly from the ROW inspector at (303) 446-3469. NOTE: Alterations to a driveway that connects to an alley, instead of a public street or sidewalk, do not require transportation review.

Location of Utilities

When designing your project, you need to know where utilities are located. You cannot build over existing utilities. Before you dig, contact the Utility Notification Center of Colorado at 1-800-922-1987 or 811 to mark underground utilities for your project.

Location of Existing Sewer Lines

If you plan to build a new structure over or within 2 feet of the existing sanitary sewer, you will need to replace the sanitary sewer with approved materials. A plumbing contractor can help you locate the sewer lines on your property. Visit Wastewater Sewer Use and Drainage Permit (SUDP) for application, guidelines and other specific information. Contact the Department of Public Works at 303-446-3759 for additional details.

Landmark Certificate of Appropriateness – if the project is in a designated historic district or landmark property. Visit the Design Review web page for more information.

The above must be in hand before you apply for the following:

Zoning Permit (Residential Same Day Review)
You will need:
- A site plan that includes elevation, depending on scope of work. Sample site plans: interior lot (PDF), corner lot (PDF). Bulk plane example (PDF).
- Elevation plan with base plane information for height and bulk.

#1R Building Permit (Same Day Residential Review)
You will need:
• Floor plan with dimensions of each room
• Foundation Plan including details on construction of the piers
• Survey - required if construction is within 3 feet of the property line
• Framing Plan, including size and spacing of post and beams

#3 and #4 permit applications may be downloaded and filled out before they are submitted.
Zoning, #1R, #3 and #4 permits may be applied for at the counter on the same day.
Sign in online once for zoning and #1R permits (Residential Same Day Review) and once for all Quick Permits.

Estimate FeesZoning and Building permit fees are based on valuation of the work to be completed including the labor and materials.

NOTE: When a Same Day Review is required for the #1R Permit, a "walk through" submittal fee of 20% of the valuation of the work to be completed with a $100.00 minimum will be charged in addition to building permit fees.

For Wastewater, there is a $100 application fee plus other fees may apply.

Typical inspections for attached accessory structures that are enclosed, non habitable such as an enclosed patio include the following:

Footing

Exterior sheathing

Rough Utilities (Electrical)

Frame

Roofing

Exterior Lath

Drywall

Final Utilities (Electrical)

Final construction inspection

Denver Forestry

NOTE: The inspections listed above may vary depending on the complexity of your project. You will be advised as to which inspections your project requires through the permitting process and by your inspector.

Who Will Be Doing the Work?

Decide whether you plan to complete the project yourself or hire a licensed contractor to complete the job for you.

Do It Yourself

You may need to pass a Home owners exam to demonstrate proficiency in specific trades in order to get a permit to do the work yourself.

You will also need to meet a set of requirements established by the Denver Building Code and the Building Department Policy ADMIN 131.3 governing homeowner completed work. This policy can be found on our Building Codes, Forms and Policies page.

Contractor

Use the Contractor license search to see if your contractor has obtained a contractor's license from the City and County of Denver.

Home Projects

Every project is different. Depending upon the complexity of your project, the permit requirements and inspection process may vary from the information presented in this guide. If you have any questions, please contact us.